RAIL workers have voted "overwhelmingly" to strike during COP 26 over an on-going pay dispute with Scotrail. 

Members of the RMT union will walk out from midnight on Monday November 1 until midnight on Friday November 12.

It is thought this will cause major disruption to the rail work during the major climate conference in Glasgow. 

Caledonian Sleeper services will down tools from Sunday October 31 at midnight until Tuesday November 2. 
They will also walk out from Thursday November 11 at midnight until Saturday November 13.

This will involve all of the union's 2000 members within Scotrail at all pay grades. This is a separate dispute from ongoing Sunday strikes. 

READ MORE: ScotRail offer pay rise ahead of COP26

We reported on Tuesday that ScotRail had offered workers a pay deal and talks are ongoing as to whether or not this will be accepted.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch said: “Today's ballot has been forced on us by the deliberate time wasting by Scotrail and Transport Scotland.

“This issue should have been sorted‎ by now and we should have had a fair and just offer that recognises the hard and important work of our members.

“The result will be considered by our Executive who will decide the next steps but the company should be taking full note of this massive majority for action and we remain available for talks.”

"Both Scotrail and the Caledonian Sleeper have had adequate time to come up with a fair pay settlement for Scotland's rail workers in advance of COP26. Instead they have kicked the can down the road and left us with no option but to put this action on today. 

"We know that these strikes will close rail services in Scotland but the blame for that lies with Abellio, SERCO and the political leadership at Holyrood. 

"It's time for all parties to take their rail workers seriously, get back round the table and give these staff at the front line of our green transport services the justice, respect and reward they deserve. "

A ScotRail spokesperson said: “It’s extremely disappointing that the RMT have opted to continue with this highly damaging strike action, particularly when a pay offer, negotiated over several weeks, has been made to the trade unions.

“We’re seeing customers gradually return to Scotland’s Railway, but the scale of the financial situation ScotRail is facing is stark.
“To build a more sustainable and greener railway for the future and reduce the burden on the taxpayer, we need to change. All of us in the railway – management, staff, trade unions, suppliers, and government – need to work together to modernise the railway so that it is fit for the future.”